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MOEEN Ali hit a first-class career-best score as Worcestershire cruised through the opening day of their three-day match against Loughborough UCCE at Kidderminster.

The 20-year-old fell eight short of his century on a good batting day at Chester Road.

Having fired an 85 at Hove last September against Sussex, the youngster struck 14 fours and a six out of the ground as he looked set to hit his maiden first class ton.

But in the 50th over Moeen missed a straight ball from Loughborough skipper Matthew Spriegel and the off-spinner trapped the Worcestershire number three leg-before.

On a day when the County were never really troubled by the students' eight bowlers, only openers Daryl Mitchell (1) and Stephen Moore (19) missed out.

Ben Smith will be disappointed not to have reached his century as he hit a well-crafted 71 from 118 balls before trying to run a quick two only for Johan Malcolm to run him out.

It was Smith and Moeen who had set the tone for the day as they came together at 50-3 and figured in a partnership of 127.

Alexei Kervezee, making his senior Worcestershire debut, looked impressive for his 41, while wicketkeeper Steven Davies hit a tidy half-century before the County declared on 334-5 to give themselves half-an-hour at the Loughborough batsmen.

Matt Mason, making his first-class comeback after 10 months out with a shoulder problem, took the new ball along with fellow pace bowler Chris Whelan.

But instead of giving the Loughborough openers Malcolm and Paul Borrington a tricky 30 minutes, a combination of poor deliveries allowed the students to get off to a good start.

Having had a torrid time with his opening two-and-a-half overs, which cost 27, Whelan struck with the final ball of the day when he trapped Malcolm lbw for 20 as Loughborough closed on 42-1 from 5.4 overs.

6:59pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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